By Matters India Reporter
Jakarta: As increasing number of children become victims of complex problems in Asia, Churches in the region have to find a new way of working together with increased synergy to uphold their dignity and rights, said Archbishop Willem T. P Simmermata, moderator of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA).
“Our Churches and congregations must become friendly places that welcome children at all times. Asian Churches must cooperate with governments, national, regional and inter-governmental institutions as well as civil society organizations to protect the rights of children,” asserted Bishop Simmermata in his opening address at a regional consultation on child rights
The September 17-19 conference addressed the theme ‘Upholding the Dignity and Rights of Children: Role of Churches in Asia.’
The consultation, organized by CCA, was hosted by the Protest Churches in Western Indonesia and held at its headquarters in Jakarta.
The CCA is an ecumenical body that promotes unity, fellowship, and solidarity among all denominations nations including with the Catholic Church in Asia.
In his keynote message, CCA general secretary Mathews George Chunakara noted that millions of children all over the world, including Asia, are abused and exploited in tragic ways on an unprecedented scale.
Chunakara quoted examples and statistics on how children in many parts of Asia increasingly become victims of poverty, violence, ethnic conflicts, war, trafficking, forced labor, forced displacement, and statelessness.
“In an era of increased connectivity where digitalization becomes the paramount feature of the day, a vast majority of children in Asia live in utter poverty, unable to enjoy any privilege or access to basic necessities in life. However, other children are privileged to enjoy affluence in life, but get addicted to modern technology and at the same they are trapped to the negative effects of the technological advancements,” he added.
In a presentation on ‘Children in conflict situation situations,’ Budi Soehardi of the Rosalin Orphanage in Kupang of West Timor said more awareness is needed among Asian communities to promote the concept that every child has the right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Ali Aulia Rami of the UNICEF said in a presentation on ‘Impact and Challenges to Child Protection in a Digitalised World’ that “as the influence of digital technology and especially the internet – has increased and offering unlimited opportunity for communication and commerce, a sense of fear also pervades that it undermines the social fabric. In this situation, protecting children from the worst effects digital technology is a collective responsibility.”
In his analysis on ‘Poverty and Child Labour in Asia,’ Rohan Prabhakar Gideon, Associate Professor of the United Theological College in India commented: “If we very plainly say that poverty is the issue for child labour, then it raises false hope that once children and their families have earned enough money, then one day they could get out of the clutches of labour. Therefore, a debate that poverty is solely responsible for child labour supports the inevitability of child labour that has to be reckoned with”.
In a presentation on ‘Implementation of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Asia,’ Yuyum Fhanhni Paryani of the Asian Committee of Women for Protecting the Rights of Children said, “the aim of the Convention on Rights of the Child is to achieve the goal of transforming the lives of children. Civil society and faith-based organisations also have key roles to play in persuading Asian governments to implement the binding obligations on States.”
The consultation is attended by 56 participants representing churches, faith-based organisations, intergovernmental institutions, and civil society organisations across Asia.